No, you should not drive a car after the airbags have deployed. Even if the vehicle starts and appears drivable, the airbag system is disabled, the crash sensors may be damaged, and the structural integrity of the vehicle may be compromised.
You need a professional inspection and airbag replacement before the car is safe to drive again. That’s the short answer to the most common question people search after an accident.
Now here’s everything else you need to know – from what to do in the first few minutes to how to handle towing, insurance, and repairs. If you’re in Maryland and need immediate help after an accident, call Geyers Towing 24/7 at (301) 540-1600. Our WRECKMASTER certified operators handle accident recovery across Montgomery and Frederick counties around the clock.
Can You Drive a Car Once the Airbags Have Deployed?
Technically, some vehicles will still run after airbag deployment – but driving one is a serious safety risk. Here’s why:
- Your airbag system is no longer functional. Once deployed, airbags can’t reinflate. If you’re involved in another collision, even a minor one, you have no front crash protection.
- Visibility may be impaired. A deployed airbag can partially obstruct your view of the road and dashboard.
- Structural damage may not be visible. An impact strong enough to trigger airbag deployment often causes frame, suspension, or steering damage that isn’t immediately apparent.
- Airbag dust can irritate eyes and respiratory systems. Driving while coughing or with impaired vision is dangerous.
- Dashboard warning lights will be active. The SRS (Supplemental Restraint System) light will be illuminated, indicating unresolved safety system issues.
The bottom line: have the vehicle towed to a repair facility. Do not drive it from the scene.
Immediate Steps After Airbags Deploy
Step 1: Check Yourself and Passengers for Injuries
Airbags deploy at up to 200 miles per hour and inflating within 1/20th of a second. The force that saves your life can also cause:
- Burns to hands, arms, and face from airbag fabric and propellant chemicals
- Bruising or abrasions from contact with the bag
- Broken fingers, wrists, or nose from deployment force at close range
- Chest bruising from seat belt pretensioners activating simultaneously
Check yourself thoroughly. Ask each passenger to do the same. If anyone is unconscious, experiencing severe pain, or showing signs of serious injury, do not move them – call 911 and wait for emergency responders.
Step 2: Turn Off the Engine
Most modern vehicles are designed to cut fuel and shut off the engine automatically when airbags deploy. If yours didn’t, turn off the ignition now. This stops the fuel pump and reduces fire risk from damaged fuel lines. If you smell gasoline strongly or see smoke, exit the vehicle immediately without waiting.
Step 3: Call 911
Report the accident even if injuries appear minor. Adrenaline is a powerful mask – internal injuries, concussion, whiplash, and soft tissue damage often don’t produce symptoms for hours or even days after the incident. When you call, provide:
- Your exact location (road name, mile marker, cross street, or nearby landmark)
- The number of people involved
- Whether anyone appears seriously injured
- Whether there are hazards like fire, fuel leak, or traffic obstruction
Step 4: Exit the Vehicle Safely (When It’s Safe to Do So)
If the vehicle is stable and there’s no fire risk, stay inside until emergency services arrive – it’s often safer than standing near a roadway. When you do exit:
- Check for oncoming traffic before opening the door
- Move away from the road – aim for a guardrail, shoulder, or other protected area
- Keep at least 100 feet from the vehicle if there’s any fire or fuel leak concern
Step 5: Document the Scene
Once you’re safely away from the vehicle, start collecting documentation while waiting for emergency services:
- Photograph all vehicles involved, the damage, and the surrounding road conditions
- Get witness contact information before people leave the scene
- Note the time, date, weather conditions, and road conditions
- If another driver was involved, exchange insurance and license information – but do not admit fault or make detailed statements about what happened
Step 6: Let Emergency Services Do Their Job
When police and EMS arrive, provide a clear, factual account of what happened. The police report they file is an essential document for your insurance claim. Accept medical evaluation even if you feel fine – that documentation matters later.
Step 7: Call for a Tow
A vehicle with deployed airbags needs to be towed – not driven. When calling a towing service, specify that this is a post-accident situation so they can bring the appropriate equipment. If you’re in Maryland, Geyers Towing’s accident recovery team works directly with all major insurance companies including GEICO, Allstate, and USAA. We can tow your vehicle to your preferred repair shop or a facility of your choice. Call (301) 540-1600 – available 24/7.
Step 8: Notify Your Insurance Company
Contact your insurance company as soon as possible – most have 24-hour claims lines. Prompt reporting keeps the claims process moving and protects your coverage. Have the police report number, photos, and other driver’s information ready.
What Gets Damaged When Airbags Deploy
Understanding what needs to be repaired or inspected helps you have informed conversations with your repair shop and insurer. After airbag deployment, a qualified mechanic should inspect and potentially replace:
- All deployed airbags – frontal, side, curtain, knee, and seat belt airbags that activated
- The airbag control module – this stores crash data and must be reset or replaced after deployment
- Seat belt pretensioners – these activate during collisions and typically need replacement after deployment
- Crash sensors – may need replacement if physically damaged
- The clock spring (if the driver’s airbag deployed) – maintains the steering wheel’s electrical connection
- Interior trim and dashboard components – airbag deployment can crack, dislodge, or damage surrounding panels
- Structural components – frame, suspension, and steering should be inspected for impact damage
This is a significant repair scope. Depending on your vehicle’s age, value, and the extent of the damage, your insurer may declare it a total loss rather than authorize repairs.
Will Insurance Cover Airbag Replacement?
In most cases, yes. If you have collision coverage, your insurer will pay for airbag replacement and related repairs (minus your deductible) regardless of fault. If another driver caused the accident, their liability insurance should cover your vehicle repairs. A vehicle is typically declared a total loss when repair costs exceed 70-80% of the vehicle’s current market value (the threshold varies by state). If your airbags deployed in a significant collision, total loss is a real possibility – especially for older vehicles. For information on how towing costs factor into insurance claims, see our guide on how much towing costs in Maryland.
If your accident happened in Frederick County, our breakdown of accident towing and insurance in Frederick County covers who pays for the tow, how the county rotation works, and how to avoid storage fees piling up.
Seek Medical Attention – Even if You Feel Fine
This step cannot be overstated. Visit an emergency room or urgent care on the day of the accident. Conditions that commonly present hours or days after a collision include:
- Whiplash and soft tissue neck injuries
- Concussion and traumatic brain injury
- Internal bleeding
- Spinal injuries
- Airbag chemical burns that may not immediately appear serious
Medical documentation from the day of the accident is also important if you later need to file a personal injury claim or dispute coverage decisions.
Call Geyers Towing for 24/7 Post-Accident Recovery in Maryland
If your airbags have deployed and you need professional accident recovery in Montgomery County, Frederick County, or the surrounding Maryland area, Geyers Towing is ready to respond. We’ve been handling post-accident towing and recovery since 1993, working with all major insurance carriers and providing the professional care your vehicle deserves.
Our accident recovery service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We’ll tow your vehicle safely to the repair facility or location of your choice. (301) 540-1600 – call any time, day or night.
FAQs: What to Do After Airbags Deploy
Can you drive a car once the airbags have deployed?
No. A vehicle with deployed airbags is not safe to drive. The airbag system is disabled, crash sensors may be compromised, and there may be structural damage that isn’t visible. Have the vehicle towed to a professional for a full inspection and airbag replacement before driving it again.
How long does it take for airbags to deflate after deployment?
Airbags begin deflating almost immediately after deployment – the whole cycle from trigger to deflation takes about 1-2 seconds. By the time you’re aware the airbags deployed, they’re already deflating. The powder residue (from the deployment chemical reaction) may linger in the air briefly.
Are airbag burns serious?
Airbag burns are very common and range from minor irritation to more significant abrasions and chemical burns. The powdery residue from deployment is an irritant and should be rinsed off skin as soon as possible. Seek medical evaluation – what looks like a minor burn can become infected if not properly treated.
Does airbag deployment automatically total a car?
Not automatically. The airbag system itself is expensive to replace, which pushes total repair costs higher, but whether a car is totaled depends on the vehicle’s overall repair cost relative to its market value. Some states total a car when repairs exceed 70% of its value; others use 75-80%. Older vehicles with lower market values are more likely to be totaled after airbag deployment.
Do I need to call the police after airbags deploy?
Yes. If airbags deployed, you were involved in a significant collision – call 911. You need a police report for your insurance claim, and emergency medical services should evaluate everyone in the vehicle even if injuries seem minor.
Can I reset airbags myself?
No. Airbag replacement and system reset requires specialized equipment and training. The airbag control module must be replaced or reset by a professional after all other repairs are completed – if it’s reset before repairs are done, it will immediately register new fault codes. This is not a DIY repair.
How long does airbag replacement take?
Airbag replacement alone typically takes 2-6 hours for a trained technician. However, if you need additional bodywork, structural repairs, or other collision work, the full repair timeline could be several days to several weeks depending on parts availability and shop schedule.
Who do I call for towing after airbags deploy in Maryland?
Call Geyers Towing at (301) 540-1600 for 24/7 accident recovery in Montgomery and Frederick counties. We work with all major insurance companies and will tow your vehicle to any repair facility you choose.
